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Chasing Love
With a big cheerful smile, my little eighteen-month old daughter began twirling around in the center of our living room floor… all the while watching her skirt flutter in the breeze.
Suddenly, she paused and gently looked up at me with her big, sparkling brown eyes as if to say, “Am I beautiful, Papa? Do you love me and think I’m special?” Her two little fists held her skirt out so I could see the print on it, “Pwetty? Pwetty, Papa?” She softly squeaked.
I looked intently into her beautiful eyes…broke into a smile, picked her up, and swung her into my arms, gave her a kiss on her smooshy cheeks, and then said, “Yes, Everlynn, you are pretty and I love you more than any other little girl in the world.”
Even though she doesn’t quite know how to return the verbal exchange, “I love you,” she responded with more than words can convey with a warm, cuddly hug around my neck. She nestled her head next to mine. I could feel her take a deep breath…calm, content, loved.
Gone.
Meanwhile, on the very same night there was another daddy’s girl out on a stage at the VMA awards, in front of millions of viewers, frenetically vying for attention and screaming for someone to call her beautiful.
Miley Cyrus tried every move imaginable to mankind in order to get someone to look… and she did. Heads turned. Heads rolled. And most heads shook, at first, with disgust, and then with deep sadness. Gone was the rather innocent girl, Hannah Montana, who drew massive crowds of mimicking pre-teen girls. Gone was the bright, happy smile. Gone was the calm, content, and loving picture of Billy Ray Cyrus with his sprawling family in tow. Gone.
And somewhere there is still a little girl looking for love, hoping for peace, and waiting for a daddy to call her beautiful. The streets of Hollywood, New York, and Las Vegas are not the only strips of concrete where one-time little girls go wandering out to find love through showing off the square-footage of their skin. Every single city, town, and village across the globe is filled with little girls who need their daddies and mommies to call them loved and beautiful.
Now, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not pretending to know the inner-workings of the Cyrus family, nor am I claiming that Billy Ray doesn’t love his daughter, Miley. But what we all know is somewhere past all the spandex, glitz, gold, dance moves, and blaring music, is the heart of a girl who is still vying for attention and looking for love…on all the wrong stages.
Looking for Love
Perhaps some of you reading this article are still deep down inside that little girl who never heard her daddy say, “I love you.” Maybe you did hear your daddy say those words, but you always knew it was conditional – if you wore the right clothes, if you got the right grades, if you scored enough goals, if you said the right words, if you looked just right, and on the list goes. And so you’ve been in a mad race of chasing after love and never really finding it.
And right now, in this very moment, I want you to know this: God the Father loves you completely and unconditionally in Jesus Christ. There is real love: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 HCSB). Even if every kind of human love has failed you, God’s love for you does not hinge on the basis of what you say or do – His love is complete in Jesus, and He wants you to receive His love today.
Showing Real Love
But maybe you’re a dad like me, but for you, your daughter isn’t eighteen months old; she’s eighteen years old or maybe even thirty-eight. When was the last time you looked directly into her eyes or called her on the phone, simply to say, “You are beautiful – inside and out – and I love you…nothing will ever change that.”
Dads, let’s show and tell our daughters they are “pwetty”, beautiful, and unconditionally loved simply because of who they are, not because of what they can do, say, sing, or wear.
Millions, maybe even billions, of little girls are left without a loving daddy or mommy. It is time for you and me to step in and love like God loves. Step across the bridge and share God’s love with someone who’s been chasing after love and has continually come up empty-handed and hurt. Christ’s real, lasting love can radically change hearts, lives, and families…it even changed mine.
Finally, amid all the criticisms and argumentation about the VMA awards, let’s not forget that prayer is the most important action we can take… let’s pray that Miley Cyrus (and the many others like her) will come to know the wonderful depths and riches of God’s love in Jesus Christ and be radically changed into a woman of faith rather than just an object of fame or shame.
Michael J. Breznau 8.27.2013
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Fortune Cookie Theology
We all have done it. If you haven’t, you must have been born on Mars or the Moon. This past Sunday afternoon I did it again and I’m sure it will happen yet another time in the not too distant future. As many good Christians (tongue in cheek) do on Sunday afternoon, my wife, Hudson, and I, along with our dear friends from India decided to go to “King Super Buffet.”
Yes, you guessed it: one of those gigantic Chinese buffet restaurants that seems to have every sort of grade B and C and D food product available from Costco and GFS. This place was particularly crammed tight with people because it just so happened to be Father’s Day. After we finished packing ourselves with all the decadent mounds of fried, deep fried, oven fried, and grease bathed chicken, beef, pork, and other items of questionable nature, we all took a deep breath as we got ready to swallow the only healthy item on the table – fortune cookies!
I passed them out one by one and everybody cracked them open to see what piece of the future they were holding in their hands. Those who got really great “fortunes” raised their eyebrows and said things like, “Wow…it’s just a fortune cookie… but you never know.” Or, “that is amazing; this is a really good one.” For the rest of us, we just rolled our eyes and remarked at how silly the whole idea was, and how they were nothing but randomly printed pieces of paper thrown in stale cookies.
Cookie Thoughts
Just as I swallowed the last crumb, I had a thought. So many times you and I treat God’s Word with a fortune-cookie kind of practical theology. Just like those who pulled out great quips from the cookies, we marvel at the one verse we found the “other day” that we really “liked”. Yet on the flip side of the cookie, we are also often guilty of just flipping the page when we read something we don’t like or that which doesn’t seem to jump off the page with relevance – or so we think. That sounds an awful lot like those of us who took one look at our cookie slip and tossed it in the garbage, while muttering about the ridiculous nature of even reading it.
The only problem with this picture is that the Bible is not a big fortune cookie with multiple fortunes to be enjoyed or tossed out according to our liking. Sure, fortune cookie slips probably belong in the garbage can. But do we essentially find ourselves doing the same thing with God’s Word? It’s hard when the Lord commands us to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. It’s hard when Christ promises not earthly pleasure and ease, but trials, tribulations and even death for the cause of His name. Still further, do we flip the page or “check out” when the Scriptures tell us that the world will hate us or that God chastises those whom He loves? I think it’s high time for you and me to take the Bible for all its worth, for it is the very Word of God. Every verb, noun, adjective, pronoun, adverb, preposition, and article – it’s no fortune cookie. It is the Word of Life.
What do you think? Let’s start a mission to find all the “hard” verses in the Bible for each one of us and then apply them. For real. Right now.
Here’s one for me to think about: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim 3:12)
And here’s a little reminder of the inestimable value of each page of God’s Word: “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17).
Originally written on June 23, 2010 by Michael J. Breznau
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Superman vs. Jesus
Just this past May, not more than 2 months ago, David Gonzalez, age 35, was busy remodeling an old home in Hoffman, Minn, that he had purchased for just $10,100. But while he was busy tearing out old insulation in the walls and ceiling of the house he uncovered what is considered to be the “Holy Grail” of all comic books: Action Comics edition No. 1. 1938 – the very first comic to introduce the Man of Steel, Superman.
Reports indicate the comic book had remained untouched in the home’s ceiling for more than 70 years. Only around 100 issues of this comic book are known to be in existence today, and a recent sale of an Action Comics No. 1 edition in near mint condition took in 2.16 million dollars. To further heighten the attractiveness of Gonzalez’s find for collectors, this past month marked another blockbuster film for Superman: Man of Steel. This was an incredible find, at an incredible time.
But the story goes on… while Gonzalez and his wife’s aunt (who had apparently come over to help work on the house) got into a dispute about her demand for a financial cut from the sale of the comic, they got into some sort of crazy tug-of-war match and accidentally ripped the back cover off the book, dropping it’s condition by at least 2 points and it’s value by more than $75,000… maybe a lot more. Ouch. That was an expensive argument.
The almost insane value of this classic comic book is shocking, but when I heard about the huge loss of value because of a silly argument it practically took the air out of my lungs. I threw my hands in the air and shouted, “how nuts!” Last month, Gonzalez’s comic book sold for $175,000. Not too shabby, but it could have sold for a lot more…
Crazy Worth
Could you imagine if you or I owned a classic comic book valued at $1 million?! I don’t know about you, but I would first get insurance on the item and then I probably could not help myself but show it off to everyone – if you came over my house you would have to see “THEE” comic book. I would probably subtly but proudly talk about its value and how it gained its worth and how remarkably unique and rare it was and on and on and on…
But why am I not that way about the immense, endless, and incomparable worth of Jesus Christ? You and I gasped at the story of this Superman comic book and its shocking value… maybe you (like me) imagined what you would do if you were the one who found the comic book. But why do we have dozens of Bibles practically coming out of our ears, containing the amazing story and worth of Jesus Christ, yet the Good news of Jesus rarely exits our mouths…especially when we’re around the unsaved?
A Puny Jesus?
Maybe it’s because we’ve lost sight of the full picture, the full worth, the full value, the crazy amazing work of Jesus Christ…. It is so easy to get focused-in on the value system around which the world revolves. We plink our pennies, save our dollars, and hope for the day when will be able to rest and relax with some of the personal treasure we’ve stored up for ourselves. And we can so easily lose sight of the immense worth of Christ and where real, lasting hope is found.
Maybe the size of our picture of Christ has slowly been shrunk down or whittled away to a more comfortable, manageable Jesus, who doesn’t call us to radical discipleship, innovative evangelism, or risky faith. Are we more excited about getting a raise on our job than going on a mission trip to reach someone who’s never heard about Jesus?
Sometimes it seems like you and I would be more broken-hearted and sick inside about the thousands of dollars lost on a completely fictional comic book, than we are about the thousands upon thousands of people who pass by our church building everyday without Christ, un-rescued, and still living in the domain of darkness, apart from Christ’s light.
So who really has more value and worth? Superman or Jesus?
The early believers residing in the ancient city of Colossae needed a bigger picture – a full portrait of Christ’s supreme value and worth. False teachers were promulgating various heretical ideas within the Colossian church, claiming that Christians needed to still follow the Old Testament ceremonial laws and extra-biblical regulations, that they needed to seek after some sort of deeper or special knowledge, that angels were to be worshiped as mediators to God, and that a select few could reach perfection as some sort of “elite” tribe of thinkers.
But more than all of these false ideas, these heretics were teaching a small, inadequate picture of Christ – that Jesus Christ was not really God-in-the-flesh, that He was not fully divine, that His value, worth, and work were not really incomparable and supreme. Therefore, the apostle Paul wrote to them (and to us) by the power and inspiration of the Spirit so that we could see a huge portrait – a painting as it were – of who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished for us and for our salvation…
Let’s watch as Paul paints each brushstroke of this amazing portrait of Christ, the Son of God in Colossians 1:13-23…
Listen to the full audio message entitled “Superman vs. Jesus” (Colossians 1:13-23) by simply clicking on the play button below or by subscribing to our iTunes podcast. This message was originally delivered at Evangel Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 21st, 2013, during the report service for our local teen mission program called Neighborhood Gospel Outreach.
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Mission Possible
By Michael J. Breznau (audio sermon player below)
More often than not, we are driven by a mentality that celebrates self-reliance. Learning how to maximize our human potential is the name of the game. We believe if we work hard enough and make the right kind of friends – we can have it all. The world is the oyster of the one who learns to take advantage of every opportunity, so many people say.
Achievements are gained by taking “the bull by the horns” and getting it done. Success is won by taking control of the situation and demonstrating superior leadership and authority. Power is received by sheer inner-strength and the will to win, so motivational speakers claim, sing, and “preach,” all for a mere $3,000-$10,000+ dollars at your local business event. It’s all about your potential “achievement quotient.”
Self-reliance and human potential are the name of the game – in the world system – but also very often in the church, as well. We approach the mission of the church (going and making disciples of all the nations) with the same mentality: “get organized, strategized, capitalize, and get it done.” All the while we miss the message of the Cross, the essence of faith, and the centrality of Christ.
Yet in the end, we have bought a lie rooted in centuries-old human philosophies and business ideologies that strip the Church of it’s power and distort the message of the Gospel: We think we can do it ourselves. All the while, mankind’s innovations and ingenuities get praise and God is denied his rightful glory.
God’s Strategy
So, if it’s not us in our own strength, then what is God’s strategy for accomplishing His mission? What is God’s plan for His mission?
Just like us, the Corinthians were attempting to accomplish the mission of the Church through human-centered plans and schemes. Yet Paul had a different approach that rattled their cages and ultimately brings true glory to God. Please take a look with me beginning in Acts 1:8; 2:37-42 (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 28:19-20) where we are going to look at our problem (1. We are driven to be self-reliant), God’s solution to the problem, (2. Only through God’s power can His mission be accomplished), and the application for us today, (3. Be God-dependent, not Self-Reliant)…that way he gets the glory!
Central Idea: God’s redemptive mission (the missio dei) can only be accomplished through the power and equipment of the One who enlisted us on the mission.
Only through the power of God, the Holy Spirit, can the people of God accomplish the mission of God.
Listen to the full audio message entitled “Mission [Im] Possible” (Acts 1:8; 2:37-42; 1 Cor. 2:1-5; Matt. 28:19-20) by simply clicking on the play button below or by subscribing to our iTunes podcast. This message was originally delivered at Evangel Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 22nd, 2012, during the report service for our local teen mission program called Neighborhood Gospel Outreach.
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It’s Time to Go!
By Michael J. Breznau (audio sermon player below)
Here I was again, cold, alone, and in the dark; trying to get away from the sound by plugging my ears from the banging of metal hitting human flesh. Even though I could not see anything from where I sat huddled underneath the kitchen table, I tightly closed my eyes with the echo of every pounding blow. Why would they be doing this? I thought. Why would these people be so evil as to do something so terrible and gruesome to an innocent man? Oh please stop, please stop!
In utter desperation to run far away from this terror I scurried out from underneath the dining table, but before I could leave the room something made me pause in my little tracks. Maybe it was simply my five year old curiosity that made me look, but quite possibly it was something more significant, for there He was nailed to a cross made out of old, splintered wood. He had been whipped, torn, beaten and even spit upon! I saw that He was wearing a crown, but even the crown was made out of thorns that had pierced His forehead and now blood freely ran down His face. As my eyes welled up with tears and stark fear, I hopped into the comfort of my mother’s lap. And, this time I did not once again jump under the table, but instead fixed my young eyes on the whole scene that was being depicted for us on our little television set.
In the Midst of Despair
As I continued to watch with a sense of despair, I could not help but ask my mother why they were doing something so awful. She then explained to me that Jesus went through all this torture, shame, and ultimately death to save me and rest of the world from sin. As young as I was, I still knew that I had done many bad things, in fact the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I probably sinned everyday.
The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that “we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And in Isaiah 53:6 it says, “all of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us turned to his own way.” In hearing this verse, it is quite clear to all of us that we simply cannot measure up to God’s holiness, or in other words, perfect-ness. We all miss the mark. So, I knew that I was a sinner but what was I supposed to do? If I tried to be really good, and not sin very much would that let me into Heaven?
As the movie on the crucifixion of Jesus came to a close, a man began to explain from the Bible that no matter if we have sinned just a couple of times, or if we did many evil and wicked things; we were all sinners in God’s eyes. In Romans 6:23a it says, “For the wages of sin is death…” So, according to God’s Word the only thing you and I deserve is death!
Words of Safety, Words of Hope
But, then when all hope seemed lost for this little brown eyed five-year-old, I heard the words of grace and hope. “But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) I found that salvation from the wrath and fury of hell is not obtained by doing good works, religious deeds, or any other thing except simply trusting in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) Salvation is a completely free gift directly from the hand of God!
The good news does not end at the point of Christ’s death on the cross of Calvary. For Christ rose again after three days of being in the grave and now sits at the right hand of God (Eph 1:20).
That day in early April, I found peace, power and eternal life through trusting in Jesus Christ. He came into my life and has made me a brand new person who is no longer is under the power of sin, but now empowered through the grace of God….
But What About Now?
For most us, we have experienced the “new birth” (if you haven’t, I invite you to trust in Christ today!), yet so often you and I fail to tell others about this Good News of Jesus Christ… We value our schedules, timetables, profit margins, and perhaps even sermon outlines more than the state of souls all around us! Just as I was so excited to tell others about Hudson the very moment he was born into the world, so you and I should joyously and unashamedly tell others about the New Life found in Jesus Christ alone!
Yet you and I (I’m in this boat too) fail in the mission, over and over and over again. We place other priorities over the priority of the one Great Commission we have all been given – the commission to GO!
So… If we have experienced this New Life, the new birth in Jesus Christ, then why don’t we GO? Should we go? If so, What’s the hold-up?
Christ’s Mission becomes Our Mission
In Acts 1:1-11 prior to Christ’s ascension, the state of the early followers, including the disciples, was much like that in which we find ourselves. Christ had risen from the grave, but they were still uncertain what their mission was to be. It was as if the battle plans had not yet been revealed to the soldiers. They thought, at that time, perhaps Christ was going to establish His earthly reign as the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. Yet their surmising turned out to be off-base and when Christ ascended they stood frozen, gazing into the sky. It was as if they had missed the Commission altogether! But they had not, and tonight, neither are we… We are going to look at why we don’t go and what God’s mission is for us, His Church…
Please turn with me to Acts 1:1-11 to dig into this message about Christ’s mission… We were not commissioned to gaze into the sky, but to go as Christ’s witnesses into every corner of the earth.
Listen to the full audio message entitled “It’s Time to Go” (Acts 1:1-11) by simply clicking on the play button below or by subscribing to our iTunes podcast. This message was originally delivered at Evangel Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 18th, 2011, during the kick-off service for our local teen mission program called Neighborhood Gospel Outreach.
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Stay on the Path
By Michael J. Breznau (audio sermon player below)
Staying on the path can be tricky business, especially when you are alone in surroundings that are dark, difficult, and potentially dangerous.
One late afternoon, I headed off to have time alone with just me, the mountains, and God… in the middle of Glacier National Park, MT. In my backpack I brought along just a few rations of food, a journal, my Bible, a headlamp, and a small survival kit. I hiked out from Logan’s Pass ranger station and out over the snowfields to the west, down a small valley, then up a ridge, then up another ridge where I could look down in the bright sunshine and see the surrounding peaks, and the way back to the Ranger Station. I had a great time reflecting on the summer of ministry, praying, and worshiping God.
As the sun began to quickly set below the ridges, the valleys soon flooded with darkness. I remember thinking, “hmmm… I should probably head back now before it’s really dark…. You know there are grizzly bears and hungry wolverines out here.”
But instead of realizing how dark it would become, I decided to stay up there on my picturesque ridge and enjoy the beautiful view of the stars…. Mmmm, not good. To make a long story a bit shorter, I nearly fell off two different cliffs trying to get back to the trail and I’m pretty sure I scared a bear of some kind along the way. Crazy…
Dark Days
We live in dark times. And God’s Word makes it clear that our surroundings and culture will only get worse and increasingly act out in depravity – in every form – in the days ahead. Yes, we are hopeful and prayerful for a spiritual awakening in the world.
Yet there is no mistaking it. When you and I walked out these doors, we are entering a world that is largely opposed to Christ and/or intentionally ignorant of God and His Good News. They don’t want to hear that sin deserves punishment. They don’t want to really be bothered by the notion of an eternity in either heaven or hell. They want to live their way and would be extremely irritated by anyone telling them what they are doing is wrong.
The path of following the way of Jesus is dark, difficult, discouraging, oftentimes lonely, and sometimes dangerous. Let’s face it. If we’re all honest with ourselves before God, we’ve all been tempted (many times over), to give in to the temptation to veer off the path. The advertisements to dive into “what everybody else is doing” are all around us. And they seem so enticing… so fun… so satisfying…so right now.
So how will we stay on the path… when the way is dark, lonely, and dangerous? This is the question we must face, just like the young follower and pastor, Timothy.
In Timothy’s day, wide-spread persecution against Christ-followers was rapidly mounting. The social climate across the Roman Empire had turned against Christianity – even the word “Christian” was used as a derogatory term for those who followed “the Way” of Jesus. The church in Ephesus was undoubtedly embroiled in the assaults and persecutions now sweeping across the region. In this extremely difficult climate, many people were probably being tempted to return to the old way of life or adopt a syncretistic blend of the “approved” Roman religions along with the way of Jesus. Can you imagine trying to pastor a young congregation with these sorts of issues?
For the young pastor, Timothy, it seems fear had begun to set in (2 Timothy 1:5-9). Life on the path of Jesus had become increasingly difficult. The spiritually weak, confused, and immature may have been exiting the faith and reneging on their commitment to Christ. Other leaders in the church at Ephesus may have started to pressure Timothy to veer off the path of the radical Gospel of Jesus Christ, because it was too risky, too dangerous, and Paul (the man who founded the church in Ephesus)… well, he was locked up in a tiny, dank prison cell in Rome. You can almost hear the fear and anxiety rattling around in Timothy’s head. The whole church may collapse. Total loss may come…
Therefore, Paul wrote to passionately exhort Timothy to remain firm in the faith, bold in the Truth, and confident in the power of the Gospel of Christ…. So that he would stay on the path.
The Bigger Idea…
It is interesting though, in Chapter 3 of Second Timothy that the main concern is not the social climate, but how Timothy will stay on the path of faith in Truth in the midst of a chaotic and difficult society….
The parallels are striking. Today, the social climate has turned against orthodox Christianity. To stand for the clear basics of God’s will on issues like sexuality, marriage, family, the sanctity of life, and the Gospel, is considered bad publicity and contrary to political-correctness. We currently have numerous elected government officials who have essentially laughed in the face of God’s Word when it comes to the parameters God has set for His gifts of marriage and sexuality. And many – even in the wider Church – have applauded them for doing so! The social climate has largely turned against God and His people.
Yet the real issue is not with what everyone else is doing, but with us. How will we stay on the path… when the way is dark, lonely, and dangerous? This is the question we must face, just like Timothy. So please turn with me to 2 Timothy 3….
Listen to the full audio message entitled “Stay on the Path” (2 Timothy 3:1-17) by simply clicking on the play button below or by subscribing to our iTunes podcast. This message was originally delivered at Evangel Baptist Church on Sunday evening, May 20th, 2012, for our annual High School Grad Night service.
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Invisible People
By Stephanie Anna Breznau
Once a week, my amazing husband watches the kids while I go out by myself for a few hours to run errands. I’m certainly blessed to have a husband who cares so much about me and enjoys helping with our kiddos.
Recently, on one of my excursions I decided to stop by our local Salvation Army. My goal was to get in and get out, and score a bunch of kid’s clothes for cheap. As I was perusing through old and dusty clothing, I heard right next to me, “Excuse me? Excuse me!”
I turned and there stood a little, elderly lady looking up at me. She probably only reached to my shoulders, thick glasses covered sparkly eyes, her white hair was covered in a tan scarf, and she tightly clutched her worn purse. I turned to her and smiled, asking how I might help her.
She smiled back and showed me a t-shirt with ducks on it – apparently it was from the Peabody Hotel. She asked me, “Have you ever been to the Peabody Hotel in Memphis?” I told her I had not and she continued on with her story of visiting the hotel, how fun it was (though expensive), and how she loved the duck pond in the lobby. I started noticing different ladies walking by, peering down their noses at her in disdain, perhaps at the volume with which she was telling her tale, or maybe at the old fashioned quality of her clothing. Although, at first, impatient to be interrupted from my search, God pricked my conscience that she was more important than any measly “deal” I was to find that day.
So I relaxed and decided to enjoy my conversation with her and she started to reveal more of herself to me. She talked about her fur and video tape collections, her daily trips on the bus, how her husband died years ago, and of living alone. After her short but eager vignette, she thanked me for listening to her, gave me a coupon for another nearby thrift store, and continued on her way.
Invisible people… I was reminded there are people like her everywhere, but to how many of them do I give the time of day? I want my heart to always be tender toward those who God puts in my path. I could have just passed her by, just like all the dusty clothing on the racks.
Instead, by God’s grace, Jesus opened my eyes to the hurting and needy around me. As I left the store that day I couldn’t shake this thought: I need to see the invisible people – the people Jesus sees and cares about even when no one else does.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27)
Help me be like You, Jesus. Give me Your eyes so I can see the people that are invisible to everyone but You…
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Foretastes of the Rain
Yesterday afternoon, as I was talking with Hudson about all the rainy weather we’ve been experiencing, I remembered a little jingle we used to sing as kids, “rain, rain, go away, come again another day…” Hudson enthusiastically bobbed up and down and ran around the house shouting at 110 decibels, “it’s rain’in… Ooo…rain’in!!!” Lately, he’s been turning everything into a song or jumbled rhapsody of joy. Stephanie and I don’t mind at all, that is, unless he scrapes up to the far reaches of 120-130 piercing decibels. Oh yes, he can pull this feat off at any given moment without warning. Yet, we love our little buddy just the same.
The Ruckus about Rain
All this ruckus about rain around our house got me thinking. So often we complain about the rain – especially when three or four days go by without any warm sunshine. Such was becoming the case around the Breznau home. Yet, then I remembered a time not too long ago when rain was a very welcome relief.
This past Saturday we joined some friends for a Tiger’s baseball game against the White Sox. My grandpa, dad, Hudson, and I all clamored up to the bleachers to enjoy the big game. Things were going pretty well until the bottom of the sixth inning, when we noticed some very, very dark clouds roll into view. By the top of the seventh inning, lightening bolts flashed across the Detroit River and the wind began to pick up. So, reluctantly, we began to make our way down from the third deck to the ground-level mezzanine. However, by the time we reached the bottom of the stairs the wind had become so strong that all the dirt, soot, and filth from the streets began to blast everyone right in the face. My grandpa and I (literally) had to hold our hands over our faces to keep the dirt from searing and stinging our eyes.
Unexpected Relief
In the confusion we became separated from Hudson and my dad, who wisely stayed in shelter until the winds let down. The blowing dirt was blinding. Children were crying – I saw one even crash to the pavement. People in wheel chairs crumpled up into the nooks and crannies of the street scape. The scene was awful and unsettling. As we moved with the crowds toward the parking garage, most people were muttering about gaining shelter before the rain hit. But, just then the skies poured down in own swoop. Yet it was not what I expected.
Yes, my Grandpa and I were soaked to the bones. And yes, we were quite cold from the drenching. However, suddenly we could again open our eyes. The dirt, filth, and soot, quietly streamed away into the drains. The streets glistened as the rain power-washed every corner, curb, and car. Detroit was suddenly clean. The blinding dirt that had collected over weeks of drought had vanished from sight. Within seconds, the power of a tremendous rainstorm had done what no street sweeper or prison clean-up crew could do. Everything was washed anew.
The Coming Rain in the Future Reign
Perhaps this is similar to the picture in God’s mind when He spoke these words through Isaiah :
“Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it.” (Isaiah 45:8)
As the Lord of Creation and Sovereign over the earth, the Son of God will return to establish His physical reign on the earth, namely, the millennial kingdom. When Jesus our Savior returns, righteousness and salvation will finally reign. Everything will be washed anew. This remaking of the earth will effect every corner, curb, and person. Nothing will be left the same. All things will be remade. There will be no more filth or sin in God’s ultimate plan. The will of God and His desire for justice and mercy will be finally and completely followed. This will be a shower of rain like no other and the relief of hope for all of God’s people.
As we look forward to the day when the righteousness and salvation of God will be fully poured out on this earth, let’s be real about living out the righteousness and salvation of God in our daily lives. Does His righteousness affect every part of your being? Does His salvation impact what you do or how you respond to others? Do our lives give people a foretaste of the future kingdom? Let’s purpose today to let the righteousness of Christ be seen in our lives by living out His will revealed in His Word. Then just maybe, the lost, scared, and hurting will be drawn to the hope they see in you and me. And, they too will look for the coming rain.
In Christ Alone,
Michael Breznau
[This article was originally published on September 8, 2011. In a very sad turn of events, my Grandpa Czarnecki (mentioned above) passed from this life in January, 2012.]
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Good Christians, Good Husbands?
In our technological, philosophical, intellectual, and global society it is often inferred that we are somehow far wiser and smarter than our forebears. While this may be true to some degree, in many ways such an idea could not be further from the truth. Books on ministry mentoring, marital harmony, and life balancing seem to be more numerous than the sands of the seashore, yet serious problems in these sectors seem to be greater than ever before. Pastors are dropping out of the ministry due to a whole number of dreadful failures, just as many marriages are splintering inside the Church as are without, and balancing life seems like a three-ring circus of cell-phones, video conferencing, and instant messaging.
In all our swirling activity, are we any better off? Are “ministry” marriages coasting along more smoothly? The obvious answer would seem to be, “no.” But, if we have not learned to better manage our family life for the cause of the Gospel here in the twenty-first century, then where is our error?!
In Doreen Moore’s pithy little book on “Leaving a Legacy in Marriage and Ministry” she does not endeavor to identify problems in current trends, but to help us learn from three prominent, historical marriages. In the thought provoking introduction she first outlines several well known missionaries who are held up as heroes of the faith. She handily argues that although C.T. Studd, William Carey, and David Livingstone all had powerful and wide-spread influence for “the cause of Christ,” all three may be recorded as completely delinquent with their familial responsibilities (pg. 9-11). She discerns that although they had an all-consuming passion for the Good News to be spread, they believed that “the cause of Christ” came before any family needs or desires (pg. 12-13). They did not view marriage itself as a ministry, but quite possibly a hindrance. And, as a result their spiritual legacies were subject to an awful blight of irresponsibility.
Upon viewing this shoddy heritage of such men who are so idealized by evangelicalism, Moore puts forth a whole myriad of questions that every minister today should ponder with great deliberation. Her basic thesis for this work is found at the crest of a mounting pile of concerns, on which she writes, “…perhaps the question that encompasses all the others is: what biblical and theological convictions should govern how one views one’s role as a minister of the gospel in relation to one’s role as a husband and father? How a person answers these questions has serious ramifications for both his family and his ministry. These questions are not to be taken lightly ” (pg. 12).
With such a question of great weight placed in the foreground, she then details how the book will attempt to give an answer that is realistic and readily applicable. Unlike some contemporary authors who seek to manufacture a “brand new” idea, Moore chooses to put her thoughtful historical and theological reflections to work. Through the lives and marriages of John and Molly Wesley, George and Elizabeth Whitefield, and Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, the author methodically guides us toward an answer that is God-glorifying and Christ-exalting. As she quickly narrates the lives of Wesley, Whitefield, and Edwards, it becomes very clear to the reader that all three men wholeheartedly believed in the cause of Christ, and in spending and “being spent” for the sake of the Name. Yet as the observer soon finds out, there are vast differences in the harmony (or lack of it) in the homes of these gentlemen and in the legacies left behind through their descendents. At the outset, the task of the book seems daunting, but the purpose of the text is clear – to assist the reader in cultivating a Scriptural position concerning his connection to ministry and the love and care due his wife and family (pg. 17).
Evaluation
After scanning the contents and working through the introduction, I was somewhat skeptical that the author could answer such a significant and historical question as listed above, with such a thin volume of text. However, upon completion I concur that Moore’s analysis was not only sufficient for the thesis, but also quite convincing. She stays on course with her purpose and continually points the reader to utilize the information in one’s personal family life and ministry. As the three figurehead marriages are detailed and lucidly contrasted with each other, it is quite easy to arrive at the same conclusion the author purports.
Her arguments are not entirely exhaustive, but concisely constructed in basic research format. Each of the three narrative chapters are nicely divided into four specific sections that help make the analysis easy to understand. The four areas are as follows: [1.] “Biblical and theological convictions of each of these men regarding their role and responsibilities as ministers of the gospel [2.] The Biblical and theological convictions of each of these men regarding their role and responsibilities as husbands and/or fathers [3.] How their Biblical and theological convictions shaped their actual marriages and/or families [4.] How each wife responded to her husband’s convictions” (pg. 18).
Three Marriages in Focus
Beginning with the rather schismatic and disastrous contract (one can hardly call it a marriage) between John and Molly Wesley, Moore guides the reader through a respectful, yet honest look at the apparent disunity. While Wesley performed great and marvelous things for the Kingdom of God, his marriage was a complete tragedy. Bitterness reigned (especially on the part of his wife) and utter disregard and selfishness seemed to be the earmarks of Wesley’s marital ideas. Overall the author makes wise use of history and accurately interprets the motives and actions of the personalities without undue bias.
While I agree with her premise that Wesley was an irresponsible husband and his wife an embittered, resistant opposite, I find some weakness in one of her arguments. In the section concerning Wesley’s teachings on the role of a husband, Moore gives a beautiful quote of Wesley regarding the need for a husband to love his wife as Christ loves the Church (pg. 24-5). After this quotation, it is accurately noted that such teaching was written near the very end of his life, and two years after the passing of his wife. It is obvious that this Scriptural view was something that had taken many years for Wesley to learn and understand. And, of course we know he sadly failed to live out this ideal during his life. She quotes Wesley even further as painting a “lofty,” but godly picture of what a marriage should look like. All this seems true and without misinterpretation until the very next page (pg. 26-7).
Moore seems to feel she has unveiled a great “disparity between” (pg. 26) Wesley’s teaching and his personal life. I believe this to be untrue. We must not forget that the loving, biblical, marital teachings of this man (as quoted) were written after his complete failure and near the end of his life. It is apparent that Wesley’s priorities were out of balance and in error. But, before attempting to point a finger to indicate hypocrisy, we must render Wesley’s later writings just as honest as his earlier teachings, yet simply from a more mature and experienced position. Fortunately, Moore does not seem to repeat this rather artificial construction of an argument anywhere else in the book.
Good Scriptural correlation is given for balancing her premise, for example on page 31 she writes, “Looking at Wesley’s teaching in the light of Scripture, it is clear that singleness is a gift with great advantages. One’s interests are divided when married, while single men and women are free to pursue ‘undistracted devotion to the Lord’ (1 Cor. 7:35)” (pg. 31) In this, Moore is maintaining her argument for ministry/love in the home and the building of a spiritual legacy, and also rectifying herself with biblical passages on singleness and contentment. This is the wisest approach.
The narrative on John and Molly Wesley is probably the most vivid and exciting chapter to read, but the author also provides wonderful contrasts in each section that relate differences for personal application (pg. 86). Although the Wesley’s “roller coaster” of a marriage is a fun read, Moore’s writings on the Whitefield and the Edwards families are well arranged and help convince the reader of her basic premise. One could organize the three stories in this way: the Wesley’s marriage was one of disunity, bitterness, selfishness, rejection and ultimate disaster. The Whitefield’s marriage was well-founded, mostly harmonious, yet filled with hardships (especially on Elizabeth’s part), and much separation on account of George’s many travels. The Edwards’ marriage is a shining example of spiritual oneness, joyous intimacy, family unity, and a lasting legacy. Although this description is quite simplistic, I believe it accurately outlines the overall thrust of the text.
Her narrative on the life of George Whitefield is quite detailed and provides helpful information for the reader to fully grasp the passion that he had for the Gospel. Personal accounts of his ministry fill the text and bring to light how committed he was to “being spent for the cause of Christ.” His marriage appeared to be one of healthy trust and joy, but sadly Moore took a long time arriving at a description of their relationship. And, once she arrived at her explanation of the marriage it was rather shortly lived, as well as her writings on Elizabeth. The Whitefield’s chapter was not as well organized as the others, but shined with excellent application material which will be brought to light in the section following.
The author’s love and respect for Jonathan and Sarah Edwards comes through in an endearing way that does not overtly detract from the two other stories. And, of course what is not to like about the wonderful Edwards family? I was rather stunned at just how excellent a marriage was described. It may be thought that Moore was slanting the material to favor Jonathan and Sarah, but indeed she was not. Her use of primary and secondary sources in their regard was without bias, and in my opinion, she provided an accurate example of their love.
Doreen Moore’s talent shines in her ability to ask thought-provoking questions. And to my great delight, she answered most of her inquires by the time I reached the last page. At times there was some repetition or weakness in her vocabulary, but the purpose of the book was effectively woven throughout the text. Her historiography was accurate (except for the supposed “disparity” in Wesley’s narrative), and her way of applying the stories to present-day circumstances did not seem inappropriate to me. She was careful to not suppose that upon reading the book the reader would be automatically equipped to live like Edwards and not like Wesley. Instead, Moore exhorts the reader to ponder the lives of these three couples and learn from their example as best as one can with the Power of Christ. Her purpose in application is clear, which makes for a great goal in all circumstances – lives that glorify God, proclaim the power of His Name, and leave a lasting legacy (cf. pg. 18, 54, 127).
Personal Application Analysis
I have studied the lives of Wesley, Whitefield, and Edwards, but never have I taken such an in-depth look at their views on marriage and the reality of family in their lives. The stories of all three men were truly shocking me to – negatively with Wesley and positively with the others. I could hardly believe that some of the things said of John and Molly were true, but in fact they were! This book gave me a renewed excitement for history itself because it turned mundane facts and dates into a colorful journey. As Moore painted these contrasting personalities on the canvass of this book I found myself unable to stop reading. The lives of these men and women are put forth in such a way that history seemed to be alive again – a noble feat for any author. Perhaps history should not be so alive that we attempt to approximate our lives in accordance with its dusty pages; but what greater way to learn history than through a well told story?
This book not only helped me delineate the differences between these three men and their wives, but also challenged me to look at my own lifestyle of ministry. As ministers of the Gospel in the twenty-first century we are hard-pressed on every side to perform. Pastors seem more like project managers and teachers similar to entertainers. If a minister is not multi-tasking with his smartphone, blogging for his flock, and putting out continuous fires through e-mail, then many seem to think he is not meeting his “quota” for the pastorate. There is much to be said about giving one’s all for the sake of the Gospel, yet there seems to be something lacking in many “ministry” homes today. Out of the three examples in this book, only one home truly exuded the encompassing trait I speak of – harmonious peace.
The Edwards family serves as the best exemplar for us in our busy and “must do” society. Certainly Jonathan and Sarah were tremendously busy. They had eleven children and held a prominent place in the community in which they lived (pg. 97-8). Jonathan would often spend thirteen hours a day in his study and one can most assuredly guess the workload of a mother of eleven (pg. 101-2). Yet through all of these tasks and many others, there remained a sense of melody and peace within their home (pg. 102-4). Why did the Edwards’ home enjoy such blessing? I believe it is because they firmly believed that the home in and of itself was a ministry field through which the cause of the Gospel could go forth for years to come (pg. 114-16). The result of this theological motivation is staggering and the amazing heritage left behind from their investment is astounding (pg. 97-8).
When I looked at the effect such an idea had on this family, it was easy to conclude that I would want the same result in my home. What a great idea to treat the family unit like a “little church!” (pg. 121-22) But, can we really look to this example and try to judge our own actions based on their outcomes to achieve a desired result? Unfortunately, the answer is most likely a negative one. The wonderful marriage of the Edwards family was just that – the Edwards family. We cannot expect in emulating another family to be rewarded with the same results. This would only send us spiraling down an exasperating tunnel of comparison and approximation. This use of history would be sadly inaccurate and frustrating for anyone (especially children) brought under such an unrealistic regime.
The more appropriate way of applying the thoughtful lessons of these stories to our post-modern lives is to strike on the chord of theological motivation that under-girded their individual actions. Instead of trying to measure ourselves against their accomplishments, we should open our hearts to receive and understand the Truth they followed and hence applied. It may not be true that we are more “busy” than they were, but it is true that the same principles the Edwards family used in raising their children and loving one another still works today! We can only rest our hopes on the Scriptural principles gleaned from these men and women and be fair warned about rejecting them.
Doreen Moore derives thirteen principles from her chosen narratives that are thoughtful, Scripture based, and appropriately understood. These sound points to consider bring together the many questions she raised throughout the book and adequately provide answers and motivation to apply the lesson to the reader’s life and ministry. I found the concluding chapter of “Good Christians, Good Husbands” to be a wonderful capstone to the compilation, and challenging to my personal actions. I am not only serving in full-time ministry, but also building a family with my amazing wife, Stephanie. The super-energetic four-year-old (nicknamed Hurricane Hudson) requires lots of patient pastoring, and our cuddly, ever-smiling year-and-a-half old daughter, Everlynn, needs to know that her Papa loves her more than even the “most important” outside pastoral work. At this important juncture in my life, I find this book to be superbly thought-provoking and a guide to finding biblical balance between family and ministry.
Yes, we are to give our all for the sake of the Name and the spreading of the Good News. And, this book has proved to me that one of the most powerful ways to make an eternal impact for Christ is to sincerely invest in ministry to my family. If more men and women could grasp a hold of this concept, who knows what could be accomplished! Therefore, you and I must focus our attention on the reason we have our being – to live for the glory of God in all things, that His power and love would be abundantly known in and through our lives. May we walk in His peace and may our lives preach.
Book Review written by Michael J. Breznau, Th.M. [Revised 2013; Original writing, March 2008]
Doreen Moore, Good Christians, Good Husbands? (Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus 2004), 9-11.
Doreen Moore is a graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Dave, and 2 sons. Prior to seminary, Doreen and her husband were on the staff with Campus Crusade for Christ.
You can purchase “Good Christians, Good Husbands?” directly from Christian Focus Publishers by following this link: http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/277
This book is also available on Amazon
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God’s Tears and the Tornado
We’re not afraid of the Day after Tomorrow. No, we are torn and tear-stained because it is the day after yesterday. Why did life have to rip apart… yesterday? The singular event engulfing thousands of minds today is what happened yesterday.
Today, hundreds of moms and dads, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and grandmas and grandpas are attempting to piece the puzzle of life together amid tear-stained eyes and aching hearts.
And the burgeoning question always rises to the surface: Where was God in Moore, Oklahoma when this massive 1-mile-wide tornado ripped through neighborhoods and flattened two elementary schools, leaving more than 51 men, women, and children dead, and countless others injured? The death and injury toll continues to rise with every new report.
Give Us An Answer.
Some fear-laced religious pundits have rabidly pronounced that such incidents are surely the judgment of God upon particular towns or specifically on America because we have turned our back on Him and have openly condoned abortion, homosexuality, the encroachment of Islam, the use of foreign oil, or any other hot-topic issue of the month.
Running in a similar vein-of-thinking, others have declared that tornado victims might have avoided tragedies such as these if they had prayed more and been wiser about the placement of their homes.
Others have tried to graciously explain the important theological framework for suffering, tragedy, and death, in the hopes that some might be comforted and perhaps drawn to Christ by receiving a well-reasoned argument for the problem of pain and evil in this world. Pastor Sam Storms from Oklahoma City, OK, offered the best piece I could find in his article “Tornadoes, Tsunamis, and the Mystery of Suffering and Sovereignty”
No. Show Us Jesus.
And yet we find this One… Jesus. He handles tragedy, suffering, and need in a way not ever before seen on earth.
Jesus, the God-man, did not heal every single person and right every wrong in the entire world when He walked the pathways of Judea. Yet he did heal every person that came to him with physical need – hundreds upon hundreds – even thousands upon thousands (see Matthew 9:35-36; 12:8-21; 14:14-21).
When people suffered, grieved, and cried out in pain…
Jesus was moved with sorrow and wept with love (John 11:33-35).
When thousands of people were hungry and needy…
Jesus looked upon the multitudes with compassion and fed them (Matthew 14:14-21).
When people showed up with bodies wracked with illness, disease, and injury…
Jesus touched them and healed them all. (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 3:1-12; Mark 8:22-26; 9:14-29).
When people were filled with fear and uncertainty…
Jesus was filled with compassion and shared His message of hope – the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 9:35-36).
Jesus raised the dead, touched and healed the lepers, the blind, and the outcast, and proclaimed Himself to be the New and Living Way. In all of this, Jesus came to glorify God the Father – to make Him known, to put Him on display (John 1:14-18).
If you want to know the full picture of what God is like, then look at Jesus Christ. The Old Testament picture of God was true and accurate, but dramatically incomplete. Enter Jesus:
“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; The only One, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.” (John 1:16-18)
Jesus came to reveal the Father and make known to everyone what God was really all about: Law and Grace, Truth and Mercy, Judgment and Hope.
And He sent his followers out on the same mission of living, showing, and proclaiming the new and living way of God’s reign now and to declare that Jesus Christ will one day come to re-create perfect order out of the perfect storm.
Show the Hope
As Jesus-followers, we are called by Christ on the same mission: to show and proclaim the reign of God now through our lives and, in this way, share the hope of what is not yet but is to be when Jesus comes to re-make, renew, and restore His creation. A new Eden will be our home with Christ on the throne (see Revelation 21:1-5; 22-1-5).
Here in the middle tension of the somewhere between, our mission is NOT to pontificate about whether specific natural disasters are judgment for particular sins. The reality is every single person on earth is born under the judgment of God because of the mess of sin inbred into every human being (Romans 5:12-14). Adam’s sin made this world a fallen, imperfect, and pain-ridden place. Sin wrecks our lives, distorts our desires, and ruins our relationships – most importantly with the God who made us. Only by His common grace does the rain fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45) and only by His mercy has He offered us a rescue plan in His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15-17).
Our lives and words and actions are not to display the judgment of God (because that is God’s job when Jesus Christ returns – see Act 17:30-31), but to share the grace and truth revealed in Jesus Christ and to show the world our hope. Because of God’s saving grace upon our lives through Christ, the apostle Paul frames this implication: “…weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15b)
Jesus did not fix every problem and ease every suffering. Yet He did give thousands of people foretastes of what was to come and He commissioned His Church to continue the same mission.
In the wake of the day after yesterday… Jesus-followers give people foretastes of God’s coming reign through sharing the message and mercy of Jesus Christ. And while we look on with sadness through the corridors of our comfortable-ness, Jesus is calling us to reach out with His hopefulness and offer His presence to those living in desperation. Jesus is sending us into the world to be Jesus to the world. Let’s show them His hope…
REACH the hurting by praying NOW and by getting involved HERE with Samaritan’s Purse International Relief.
